The Hatea Loop Goose

14/05/2026

07/05/2026

THE NEW ZEALAND GOOSE COUNCIL IS SADDENED TO HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT OF THESE DISCUSSIONS

Northland councils have acknowledged the Government’s announcement giving regions a three-month window to put forward proposals to simplify and strengthen local government.

06/05/2026

🟢 Te Matau ā Pohe bridge is open and operating on its normal schedule, lifting at 12:00pm noon each day and as required for marine traffic to get through.

Routine inspections recently found small cracks in intact welds (where metal is joined to metal), which will be repaired during a 24-hour road and marine closure between 6:00am Sunday 10 May and Monday 11 May 2026. Thanks for your patience while we stay on top of maintenance.

🚶🪿 The footpath will stay open that Sunday so you can still walk the Hatea Loop!

22/04/2026

DO NOT EXPECT REFUGE FROM THE GOOSE. WHILE I DO NOT COOPERATE WITH POLICE, I ALSO DO NOT HOUSE COMMON THUGS.

FORTUNATELY THIS YOUNG MAN WAS EASILY CONVINCED HE WAS BETTER OFF IN THE CELLS.

A group of six allegedly intoxicated men stashed road signs in their vehicles, police say.

21/04/2026

REST IN PEACE, LEGEND OF THE LOOP, COLIN THORNE

A tribute to Colin Thorne

Some people leave footprints on a parkrun course. Colin Thorne left them on our hearts.

Colin first joined the parkrun family on 21 January 2017, already in his early nineties, quietly showing the world that it is never too late to begin something extraordinary. Over the next nine years, he completed an incredible 265 parkruns across 21 locations and volunteered 16 times—proof not only of his commitment, but of his belief that parkrun is about community as much as it is about movement.

To see Colin at parkrun was to be reminded of what really matters. He greeted everyone with that cheeky smile, a dry sense of humour, and a genuine warmth that made first-timers and regulars alike feel instantly welcome. He listened, he encouraged, and he inspired—often without needing to say very much at all.

What made Colin truly special wasn’t just his age, remarkable though that was. It was his perseverance. Week after week, year after year, Colin kept showing up, determined to keep parkrunning for as long as he possibly could. Even at 102, he embodied the very best of parkrun: turning up, doing what you can, and doing it with heart.

Running had been part of Colin’s life long before parkrun. He took it up at 64, went on to complete numerous marathons and half marathons, and even ran the New York Marathon at the age of 89—a feat few of us could imagine at any age. Yet despite these astonishing achievements, Colin always wore his success lightly, choosing kindness and connection over accolades.

Colin touched the lives of parkrunners throughout New Zealand and far beyond. His story travelled, but his impact was deeply personal. He showed us that ageing does not have to mean slowing your spirit, that perseverance can be joyful, and that community is built one smile, one step, one Saturday morning at a time.

As we hold Colin close in our thoughts during these tender days, we do so with immense gratitude. Thank you, Colin, for every kilometre, every laugh, every moment of inspiration. Thank you for reminding us that parkrun is not about how fast you go, but about showing up—and about the love you bring with you when you do.

Your legacy will continue to run alongside us, always.

May you rest in peace.

17/04/2026

ALL WHO BESMIRCH THE GOOSE WILL BE HAUNTED FOR THE REST OF THEIR DAYS

Analysis: The Prime Minister was clearly schooled up ahead of his media conference in Pōkeno on Friday to bat away any questions about his leadership.

14/04/2026

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ASKING IF THEY ARE ALLOWED TO SIT ON THE GOOSE SEAT OR IF IT IS ONLY FOR GEESE.

YES, PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO SIT ON THE GOOSE SEAT, BUT THEY ARE EXPECTED TO STAND TO MAKE ROOM FOR SOMEONE THAT IS PREGNANT, OR IS A GOOSE.

08/04/2026

🦆 Please don’t feed bread to ducks🍞
Did you know that bread is like junk food for ducks?
When ducks snack on too much bread, it fills them up without giving them the nutrients they need, and they miss out on natural foods like plants, insects, and seeds. This leads to health problems over time 😥
One serious issue is angel wing 😬 This is a condition where a duck’s wings grow the wrong way and stick out. It’s often permanent and can stop ducks from flying, making life a lot tougher for them.
Leftover bread isn’t great for ponds either. It sinks, rots, and feeds algae that can harm fish and other wildlife. Regular bread feeding can also lead to overcrowding and the spread of disease.
💚 Want to help ducks instead?
Next time you’re heading to the park, take some cracked corn, oats, peas, lettuce, or bird seed. Or simply enjoy watching them from a distance and let them do what nature intended!
Healthy ducks. Healthy waterways. Win win ✨

26/01/2026

SAD TO SEE A REGULAR HOST TO THE GOOSE COUNCIL CLOSING ITS DOORS.

Spruce Goose, located near Wellington Airport, said in a post on social media it had been unable to secure a new lease.

24/12/2025

HELLO EVERYONE IT IS THE GOOSE HERE

WHETHER YOU ARE WITH FAMILY OR BY YOURSELF LIKE ME, I HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER

IF YOU FIND YOURSELF WITH ANY LEFTOVER GRAPES, BRING THEM ALONG WHEN YOU TAKE A WALK AROUND THE LOOP. YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU MIGHT BUMP INTO THAT WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE THEM

BE KIND TO EVERYONE AND YOURSELF